Paula T. Hammond facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Paula T. Hammond
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| Born | September 3, 1963 |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Massachusetts Institute of Technology Georgia Institute of Technology |
| Awards | Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors (2021), Fellow of the National Academy of Sciences (2019), Fellow of the National Academy of Engineering (2017), Fellow of the National Academy of Medicine (2016), Fellow of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (2016), Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (2013) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Biomaterials, Drug Delivery, Cancer immunology |
| Institutions | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
| Thesis | The Synthesis, Characterization and Optical Properties of Novel Diacetylene-Containing Aromatic Liquid Crystalline Polymers (1993) |
| Doctoral advisor | Michael Rubner |
| Other academic advisors | George M. Whitesides |
| Doctoral students | Jodie Lutkenhaus LaShanda Korley |
Paula Therese Hammond (born September 3, 1963) is a famous American scientist and professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). She is known for her groundbreaking work in chemical engineering. In 2015, she made history as the first woman and the first person of color to lead MIT's Chemical Engineering department.
Dr. Hammond's laboratory focuses on creating special materials called polymers and nanoparticles. These tiny particles are designed for important jobs, like delivering medicine directly to sick cells in the body. Her work also helps create better energy sources, such as advanced batteries and fuel cells.
She has received many of a scientist's highest honors. Dr. Hammond is a member of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. This means she is recognized as one of the top experts in her field in the United States.
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Early Life and Education
Paula Hammond was born in 1963 in Detroit, Michigan. Her parents both had a strong background in science and medicine. Her father had a PhD in Biochemistry, and her mother had a master's degree in nursing. This environment helped spark her interest in science from a young age.
She was a very bright student and graduated from high school a year early in 1980. She then went to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), one of the best science universities in the world. In 1984, she earned her bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering.
After college, she worked at the company Motorola for two years as a process engineer. She then decided to continue her education. She earned a master's degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1988. For her master's project, she worked on creating special materials for robotic sensors.
In 1988, she returned to MIT to earn her PhD. She finished her PhD in 1993 and then did more advanced research at Harvard University.
A Career in Science and Innovation
In 1995, Dr. Hammond became a professor at MIT, where she started her own research lab. Her work focuses on designing new materials by putting together molecules in very thin layers. This method is called Layer-by-Layer (LbL) assembly. It allows her to build materials with special abilities, one molecular layer at a time.
Her research is used in many different areas, from medicine to energy. She creates tiny particles, called nanoparticles, that can carry medicine through the body. She also develops new materials for better batteries and clean energy.
Fighting Cancer and Healing Wounds
One of the most exciting parts of Dr. Hammond's work is in medicine. She has created "stealth polymers" that can hide cancer-fighting drugs inside nanoparticles. This disguise helps the medicine travel through the body and attack cancer cells without harming healthy cells.
Her lab also works on ways to deliver RNA, a special molecule in our cells, to turn certain genes on or off. This could one day help treat many different diseases.
Dr. Hammond also helped start the Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies at MIT. Through this work, she designed a special spray that can be used on the battlefield. The spray helps stop bleeding very quickly, which can save lives.
In 2013, she co-founded a company called LayerBio Inc. to use her technology to help people. The company develops thin films that release medicine over time to treat eye diseases, help wounds heal, and repair tendons.
Creating Better Energy Sources
Dr. Hammond's work is not just about medicine. She also uses her knowledge of polymers to improve energy technology. She develops new materials for solar cells, fuel cells, and batteries.
Her lab has even used viruses to build better batteries. In 2009, she had the honor of presenting this amazing research to former U.S. President Barack Obama.
Honors and Leadership
Dr. Hammond's incredible work has earned her many awards. She has been elected to four of the U.S. National Academies:
- The National Academy of Medicine (2016)
- The National Academy of Engineering (2017)
- The National Academy of Sciences (2019)
- The National Academy of Inventors (2021)
In 2021, President Joe Biden selected her to be part of the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST). This group gives the President advice on important science and technology issues.
In 2024, she received the Benjamin Franklin Medal in Chemistry. In 2025, she received the National Medal of Technology and Innovation, one of the highest honors for technology in the United States.
See also
In Spanish: Paula T. Hammond para niños
